Ponstein gets Nashville sponsor: Innovative Beverage Group Holdings, Inc. announced their proprietary product drank Extreme Relaxation will adorn the hood of the Corrie Stott Racing #02 Chevy for the upcoming Nashville 300 NASCAR Nationwide Series race at Nashville Superspeedway on April 3, 2010. Piloting the car for Corrie Stott Racing will be NASCAR sophomore Andy Ponstein who is looking to build off of his career-best top-25 finish two weeks ago at the Scotts Turfbuilder 300 at Bristol Motor Speedway in Bristol, TN.(Corrie Stott PR)(3-31-2010)
Allen / Day Enterprises headed to home track: Coming off his best career Nationwide finish at Bristol, Willie Allen looks to ride the momentum wave into his hometown of Nashville. Allen will once again pilot the #05 31-W Insulation/Fox Ridge Homes Chevy for Day Enterprise Racing, his 4th start this year for the Nashville area based team. (Allen PR)(3-31-2010)
Special Talladega scheme for Bayne: #99-Trevor Bayne will drive a special “Color Your World” scheme in the Aaron’s 312 at Talladega Speedway. The car was designed by 7-year-old Alexander from Sims, NC. Ssee an image of the car on the #99 Nationwide team paint schemes page.(3-31-2010)
Keller headed toward 500 starts: Jason Keller continues his quest for a record 500th Nascar Nationwide Series start, which will take place in his home state of South Carolina. Keller will reach that achievement at Darlington on May 15th. As his team continues to build cars and equipment for the 2010 season, despite missing races in Daytona and Las Vegas, Keller and his group will continue to race for the season long points championship in the #35 Chevy. TriStar is currently seeking sponsorship for the remaining 31 races on the Nationwide schedule.(TriStar Motorsports PR)(3-30-2010)
Nashville Rookie Notes:
• Ricky Stenhouse Jr. was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the Scotts Turf Builder 300 at Bristol. Stenhouse Jr. was a 25th-place finish and grabbed top rookie honors for the first time this season.
• A different driver has claimed top Raybestos Rookie honors in each of the four races this season.
• James Buescher leads Brian Scott by three points (43-40) in the Raybestos Rookie standings entering the Nationwide 300 at Nashville Superspeedway.
• Scott Lagasse Jr. was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the 2009 Nashville 300, claiming a 10th-place finish.
• In 17 previous Nationwide Series races at Nashville, three Raybestos Rookies have won pole positions, two coming in the spring race: 2002: Shane Hmiel (Nationwide 300), 2005: Reed Sorenson (Nationwide 300), 2006: Todd Kluever (Federated Auto Parts 300)
• A Raybestos Rookie has won three Nationwide Series races at Nashville Superspeedway, all coming in the spring race: 2001: Greg Biffle, 2002: Scott Riggs, 2005: Reed Sorenson(Raybestos/Camp & Assoc PR)(3-30-2010)
Baker Curb Car Chief Co-Writes Andy Griggs song: As the NASCAR Nationwide Series invades Music City this week, a true culmination of music and racing comes together with the release of an Andy Griggs special event song “Drink Champagne.” Get a sneak preview of the racing themed song, co-written by Baker Curb Racing Car Chief John Reese, by going to www.andygriggs.com. The song will be available to download on Andy’s site and NASCAR.com on April 1st. A free download will be available to the first 100 new Andy Griggs fan club members. “Drink Champagne” is currently being played on the Conman Radio Show aired on 100 stations nationwide or you can hear it online at http://www.conmanradio.com where you can also request it.(Baker Curb PR)(3-30-2010)
McClure tests at Infineon: Rather than resting during the series’ third off weekend, Eric McClure had other plans in mind. He headed to Infineon Raceway to participate in a two day road course school with road race veteran Chris Cook in preparation for the series’ three road course races. Piloting southwest touring cars, McClure was able to practice turning right and left and while learning both braking and shifting techniques that will build his confidence when returning to the road courses for the second time in his career. The series’ first road course event is in June at Elkhart Lake’s Road America.(McClure PR)(3-30-201)
CitiFinancial back on the #6: The #6 Ford will have the familiar colors of CitiFinancial on board this weekend. This is the third of 18 races that CitiFinancial will be the primary sponsor for Ricky Stenhouse.(Roush Fenway PR)(3-30-2010)
“Sponsor Scott” car for #09 at Nashville: In appreciation of the “Sponsor Scott” Fan Car for Nashville, the #09 Ford will be carrying new colors; white with grey and red. Scott Riggs fans came together just over two weeks ago to show their support for the veteran driver by “Sponsoring Scott”. This was a unique opportunity to get your name in the fast lane for the Nashville 300 this weekend. There were different levels of sponsorship but over 75 dedicated fans raised more than $30,000 through various efforts including a “Chicken Plate Fundraiser” sponsored by Scott’s old school mates from the Durham, NC area. Fellow NASCAR Nationwide Series driver, Justin Allgaier and his family also stepped up to help the 39-year-old driver and the entire RAB Racing team.(RAB Racing PR)(3-30-2010)
Mobile-Shop returns to the #81: After its debut two weeks ago at Bristol Motor Speedway, Mobile-Shop returns to the hood and quarter-panels of the #81 Dodge for its second race with Michael McDowell and MacDonald Motorsports. McDowell finished a season-best 18th at Bristol.(MacDonald/MMI PR)(3-30-2010)
50 starts for Richardson: Robert Richardson, Jr. and the #23 Chevy team of R3 Motorsports comes to Nashville Superspeedway as their driver celebrates a mini-milestone in his NASCAR Nationwide Series career; and a personal one. The native of McKinney, Texas will be making his 50th NNS start on Saturday; then celebrating his 28th birthday on Sunday. The team is still seeking primary and associate marketing partners for single, multiple or full-season partnerships.(R3 Motorsports PR)(3-30-2010)
“Army Wives” on the #7 at Nasvhille: Lifetime Television, NASCAR and JR Motorsports have entered into a multi-faceted partnership involving on-car branding and talent appearances during the NASCAR Nationwide Series’ Nashville 300 on April 3, 2010, as well as a major online sweepstakes to promote the season four premiere of the hit drama Army Wives. Under terms of the partnership, Army Wives will serve as the official sponsor of JR Motorsports’ #7 car, driven by Scott Wimmer, which will be completely wrapped with Army Wives branding during the race in Nashville. Additionally, Lifetime will bring the Army Wives Experience to NASCAR’s Fan Zone at the Nashville Superspeedway, where the program’s stars Brigid Brannagh and Wendy Davis will join Wimmer and fellow JR Motorsports driver Kelly Bires for an autograph session with attendees.(JR Motorsports PR)(3-29-2010)
Sauter in the #27 at Nashville: Baker Curb Racing announced that Johnny Sauter will drive the team’s #27 Red Man Moist Snuff Ford in Saturday’s Nashville 300 at Nashville Superspeedway. Sauter’s resume at the mile and a third concrete track includes two runner-up finishes and a pole award. He finished second for Baker Curb Racing in the 2004 Pepsi 300 and was also the runner-up in the 2003 Pepsi 300 driving for Richard Childress Racing. The Necedah, WI native captured the pole for the 2003 Trace Adkins Chrome 300.(Baker-Curb PR)(3-29-2010)
Braun Racing carrying Autism Speaks logos: Braun Racing announced that they will support sponsor, Dollar General, and its partnership with Autism Speaks to increase the awareness of autism and raise funds for autism research and advocacy. Each of the four Braun Racing entries in the NASCAR Nationwide Series will carry the Autism Speaks logo during Autism Awareness Month in April to drive awareness for the campaign. Kicking off the month at Nashville Superspeedway, the #11 Camry, driven by Rookie of the Year candidate Brian Scott, will join Reed Sorenson and the #32 team in sporting the Dollar General colors.(Braun Racing PR)(3-29-2010)
Harvick making first Nationwide start at Nashville since 2006: This weekend Kevin Harvick Inc. co-owner #33-Kevin Harvick will return to Nashville Superspeedway for the first time since 2006. The two-time Nationwide Series champion has three previous starts at the track in the Nationwide Series, recording one pole, one win, two top-five and three top-10 finishes. He has led 71 laps and completed 100 percent of laps attempted (675 of 675) on his way to earning an average starting position of 6.7 and an average finishing position of 3.7. Harvick’s three previous starts were all for Richard Childress Racing (RCR) in years where he claimed the Series title. This weekend will mark his first start at the concrete track for KHI.(KHI PR)(3-29-2010)
Legends of Zork on the #20 at Nashville: The #20 GameStop Toyota will carry the colors of “Legends of Zork” at Nashville. The adventure game from Jolt Online Gaming is free to play from any web browser with no download needed. Gamers can find “Legends of Zork” and other online games at GameStop.com.(JGR PR)(3-29-2010)
Bristol TV ratings: ABC’s live telecast of the NASCAR Nationwide Series race from Bristol Motor Speedway on Saturday, March 20, earned a final national rating of 1.6, averaging 2,286,794 viewers. The rating was down from a 1.7 for last year’s race that also aired on ABC. The Bristol event was the first NASCAR Nationwide Series race this season to air on ABC. The first three events aired on ESPN2. All 35 races in the series are produced by ESPN and most air on ESPN2, with select events on ESPN and ABC.(ESPN PR)(3-25-2010)
Said, Roush Fenway to test at Road America: UPDATE 2: It might be tough for the race fans in Elkhart Lake, Wis., to imagine right now, but June — and the inaugural NASCAR Nationwide Series race at Road America — isn’t that far off. And in two weeks, a car on the track will make that event seem even closer. Similar to the one-car/one-team tests at Autódromo Hermanos Rodriguez in Mexico City and Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in Montreal prior to the series’ first races there in 2005 and 2007, respectively, NASCAR will conduct a test at Road America on Wednesday, March 24 to gather data to share among teams that will compete there this summer. Road America replaces the former event at the Milwaukee Mile on the 2010 schedule. NASCAR has turned to Roush Fenway Racing and crew chief Mike Kelly to conduct the test while road-course ace BorisSaid will be the driver. Said has 20 NASCAR Nationwide Series starts to his credit and 14 of those have come on road courses. He’s collected two poles and six top-five finishes in those races. His best result was a second-place finish in the 2006 event in Mexico City from the pole. He’s run in each of the three races in Mexico City and Montreal, however, he won’t compete in the June 19 event at Road America. That factor is a must for the test driver. Jeff Burton and Richard Childress Racing handled the Mexico City test while RCR and Terry Labonte were on point for the test in Montreal. Neither driver participated in the inaugural races at those tracks.(NASCAR PR)(3-9-2010) UPDATE: NASCAR Nationwide Series drivers who’ve never seen Road America owe big thanks to Boris Said. The NASCAR part-timer and Trans-Am champion not only did the initial testing and data acquisition Wednesday for the inaugural 200-mile race June 19 at the 4-mile road course, he also drove and narrated a video of a lap to help them learn the track. Said lapped in about 2 minute 21 second, hitting top speeds in the high 170 mph range in the morning while blowing off a winter’s worth of dust. He said he expected to see 1:19s on a clean track. For perspective, the Trans-Am track record, set last September, is 2:05.981 for an average of 115.675 mph. The ALMS P1 pole lap was 1:48.216 and the GT2 class pole was 2:06.950 (114.792).(Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)(3-24-2010) UPDATE 2: Said, a road-course ace who has competed in each of NASCAR’s three national series, drove a car provided by Roush Fenway Racing today at the 4.048-mile, 14-turn track in Elkhart Lake, Wis., site of the Bucyrus 200 presented by Menard’s. Data compiled from the test will be available to teams in advance of the June 19 event. Said and the Roush Fenway Racing crew collected information that included gear selections, shock travel, braking, RPM and acceleration. Said, who has competed on the Road America course more than 20 times over the last two decades in various series, also narrated a video of laps around the track that will be shared with the teams. NASCAR officials also were able to gather logistical information for the teams. Said noted that the track is a very technical course and that “managing brakes will be a key. I hit about 170 mph on the straightaway; 43 of these things in Turn 5 is going to be fantastic. The afternoon session included longer runs on fresh tires and a full fuel cell, followed by a few short runs to complete the test.(NASCAR PR)(3-24-2010)
Road America race gets sponsor: Track President George Bruggenthies announced that the mining equipment manufacturer Bucyrus International would be the event’s title sponsor and that Harley-Davidson would be the trophy sponsor. It’s officially the Bucyrus 200 presented by Menards.(Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)(3-24-2010)
Kile to make Nationwide debut at Nashville: Braun Racing announced that ARCA Racing Series driver, Mikey Kile, will make his NASCAR Nationwide Series debut next weekend at Nashville Superspeedway, driving the #10 Toyota Camry. The #10 will carry AccuDoc Solutions as its primary sponsor. Kile made his NASCAR debut last season driving a partial schedule in the Camping World Series for Brad Keselowski Racing. In six starts, the 27 year-old accumulated three top-15 finishes. Additionally he competed in eight ARCA Racing Series events for Venturini Motorsports, posting an impressive four top-10 finishes. This season, Kile has returned to Venturini Motorsports for his first full season of competition in the ARCA Racing Series.(Braun Racing PR)(3-24-2010)
Herd Racing gets Nashville sponsor: Brentwood-based DuVita, LLC, has been named primary sponsor of Herd Racing’s NASCAR Nationwide Series team for the Nashville 300 on April 3 at Nashville Superspeedway. The DuVita car, #75 Chevy driven by racing veteran Brett Rowe, will feature DuVita’s corporate logo, among other sponsors. DuVita provides home-based business opportunities in direct marketing of all-natural dietary supplements that promote a healthy lifestyle. The company launched in January 2010 and is growing rapidly across the United States. DuVita will remain an associate sponsor of the team for the entire 2010 Nationwide Series season and invites fans to learn more about their products and racing sponsorship, which includes a full line of racing apparel.(Herd Racing PR), see an image of the car on the #75 team paint schemes page.(3-24-2010)
Some Nationwide drivers testing: Boris Said and Roush Fenway Racing aren’t the only driver and team using this open week to test. [Said is testing for NASCAR at Road America – see note above]. Bristol race winner #12-Justin Allgaier is at Charlotte Motor Speedway this week participating in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series two-day test there where the new spoiler is featured. #24-Eric McClure traveled across the country to Infineon Raceway to take part in a two-day roadcourse school where he’ll be coached by ace and part-time NASCAR road-course driver Chris Cook. McClure’s crew chief, Chris Wright, joined his driver for instruction. This is the second school McClure has attended to prepare for the series’ three road-course events at Road America, Watkins Glen International at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve. #21-John Wes Townley will be at Talladega Superspeedway where he’ll test with the ARCA RE/MAX Series. He’ll enter the April 23 ARCA event at Talladega as a warm-up for the April 24 NASCAR Nationwide Series Aaron’s 312.(NASCAR PR)(3-23-2010)
ESPN.com Monday Rundown:
* Justin Allgaier won the Scotts Turf Builder 300 at Bristol Motor Speedway.
* It was Allgaier’s first series victory in his 43rd career start. It marked his fourth top-10 finish in four Nationwide races in 2010. He led one time for 27 laps.
* Allgaier was the 10th different winner in the last 10 races at Bristol. He was the sixth first-time winner at Bristol
* It was Penske’s 10th series victory and first of 2010. Allgaier became the third Penske driver to win in the series.
* Brad Keselowski (second) has finished 13th or better in the four series races in 2010.
* Kyle Busch (third) posted his ninth top-10 in 12 races at Bristol.
* Carl Edwards (fourth) posted his fourth top-5 finish in four series races in 2010. Edwards has been running at the finish in his 12 Bristol races.
* Kevin Harvick (fifth) posted his 123rd career top-5, tying Tommy Houston for the series record.
* Steve Wallace (38th) ended a five-race streak of top-10 finishes, the longest of his career.
* Ricky Stenhouse Jr. (25th) was the best of the four rookie of the year contenders in the race.
* Busch, Greg Biffle and Keselowski have each led in all four NNS races in 2010.
* The 10 race leaders at Bristol set a series record.
* It was Dodge’s 28th series victory. The last Dodge win came 939 days earlier — by Kasey Kahne in August 2007 at Bristol.
* The last 1-2 finish by Dodge: at Gateway in July 2005 (Reed Sorenson and Mike Wallace).
* It was the second Penske 1-2 finish in NASCAR (Daytona 500 in 2008).
* The top 10 consisted of three Toyotas, three Chevrolets, two Fords and two Dodges.
* The race was slowed by caution 11 times for 61 laps.
(ESPN.com)(3-22-2010)
Eggleston gets Nationwide ride: When dust settles at the end of another race night at Colorado National Speedway, Erie resident Chris Eggleston’s night is just getting started. As a fan favorite in his No. 22 car, the 20-year-old driver has a loyal local following. Starting next month, Eggleston’s fan base could go viral. At the conclusion of the ASA season, Duesenberg & Leik Racing announced Eggleston will drive the team’s Chevy for the 2010 NASCAR Nationwide Series. “Chris has some of the best talent and maturity I have ever seen,” Keith Duesenberg said. ” He is more than just a driver — he is a great person. He has all the tools both on and off the track.” Eggleston will also have the opportunity to race in the trucks series. He recently signed a deal with SS Greenlight Racing that will take him up to the start of the Nationwide Series. He will start racing in the Nationwide Series in May or June.(Longmont Daily Times-Call)(3-22-2010)
Lofton to attempt Texas race: Justin Lofton, the 2009 ARCA Racing Series champion, will attempt to make his second NASCAR Nationwide Series start at Texas Motor Speedway on April 17. Lofton will be running the #71 in a former CJM Racing Toyota that his team, Lofton Racing, has acquired. Last year, Lofton made his series debut at Michigan International Speedway where he started 19th and finished 16th. (Motor Racing Network)(3-20-2010)
Scotts Renews with Bristol Motor Speedway: After a successful two-race partnership with Bristol Motor Speedway, Scotts Miracle-Gro Company has extended the relationship through the 2011 season. Scotts, the world’s largest marketer of branded consumer lawn and garden products, joined the BMS family in 2009 as sponsor of the March Nationwide Series event, the Scotts Turf Builder 300, as well as the Scotts EZ Seed Showdown. The Nationwide event is one of the most popular on the NASCAR circuit.(BMS PR)(3-20-2010)
Computer Works To Sponsor Nemechek at Bristol: UPDATE: NEMCO Motorsports and Computer Works have agreed to a one race deal to feature the Knoxville, Tennesee Computer chain on the #87 Nationwide Car at Bristol. Computer Works has two retail stores in the Knoxville area and can be found online at www.cworksonline.com. In last year’s event, Nemechek lead twice for 12 laps, en route to an 18th place finish. This season, Nemchek is 22nd in Nationwide points standings, coming off back to back top 25 finishes at California and Las Vegas.(NEMCO PR)(3-13-2010) UPDATE: NEMCO Motorsports announced that AM FM Energy LLC will be a co-primary sponsor on the hood of Joe Nemechek’s #87 NEMCO Motorsports Chevy in Saturday’s NASCAR Nationwide Series race at Bristol Motor Speedway. AM FM Energy, based in Clifford, Va., is celebrating its fifth year in business as a leader in alternative energy solutions. AM FM Energy is a distributor of high quality Timber Ridge wood and pellet stoves.(NEMCO PR)(3-19-2010)
Coleman Pressley to drive some races for R3: UPDATES R3 Motorsports has signed up-and-coming NASCAR driver Coleman Pressley to a multiple-race deal for the 2010 NASCAR Nationwide Series season. Pressley, 21, of Asheville, N.C. is the son of former NASCAR Sprint Cup, Nationwide and Camping World Truck Series driver Robert Pressley. Coleman is also the grandson of Bob Pressley, a multiple-NASCAR short track champion in the Late Model ranks. Pressley will drive the #23 Chevy at Bristol Motor Speedway in March, Richmond International Raceway in April and Darlington Raceway in May. If more sponsorship can be attained, then Pressley will add more races to his schedule with R3 Motorsports.(R3 Motorsports PR)(3-2-2010) UPDATE: Pressley, a third-generation NASCAR driver, has made two starts at the concrete jungle of BMS. Last year, he qualified fourth in his family-owned UARA Late Model. And, he also made one NASCAR Nationwide Series start at the .533-mile, high-banked oval in 2009 for another team and was forced to exit the race early. The difference this time is that Pressley will be looking to go the distance in the #23 Chevy of R3 Motorsports. Unsponsored and undaunted, the son of former Sprint Cup, Nationwide and Camping World Truck Series driver Robert Pressley, and grandson of multi-time short track champion Bob Pressley, this Pressley is wide eyed with anticipation. Speaking of Robert, he’ll be on the spotter’s stand watching his son through all 250 laps of Saturday’s action-packed race. And, adding to the mix is Coleman’s crew chief, Steve Plattenberger, who was named to the position following the Las Vegas race. This won’t be the first time Plattenberger has called the shots for a Pressley. He did it for Robert back in the ST Motorsports days of his Nationwide Series career.(R3 Motorsports PR)(3-16-2010) UPDATE 2: It will look like a blast from the past on Saturday when a Pressley takes the green flag at Bristol Motor Speedway with Jasper Engines & Transmissions on a race car. Coleman Pressley, driving the #23 Jasper Engines & Transmissions Chevy for R3 Motorsports, will carry the logo his father, Robert, carried in NASCAR competition from 1997 to 2001. The reunion of family and sponsor at Bristol comes with the younger Pressley’s NASCAR Nationwide Series debut with the team. The deal will have the Indiana-based company’s Jasper logo on the Chevrolet’s hood and quarter panels for Saturday’s race.(R3 Motorsports PR)(3-19-2010)
Key Motorsports gets Bristol sponsor: Southern Pride Woodburning BBQ Pits & Smokers will sponsor the #40 Key Motorsports Chevy and their driver Mike Bliss in this Saturday’s NASCAR Nationwide Series race at Bristol Motor Speedway.(Key Motorsports PR)(3-19-2010)
BUBBA Burger to sponsor Richmond race: NASCAR Nationwide Series drivers salivate at the thought of winning a race at Richmond International Raceway. On April 30, their mouths will be watering from the thought of the perfect hamburger. America’s Premier Short Track announced that next month’s NASCAR Nationwide Series race will officially be titled the BUBBA burger 250. Additionally, BUBBA burger is now the Official Burger of Richmond International Raceway and the juicy and delicious burgers will be available at select concession areas during race weekend. The BUBBA burger 250 NASCAR Nationwide Series race at Richmond International Raceway on Friday, April 30 will be an old-school, short track shootout “under the lights,” featuring all of the full-time Nationwide Series drivers, as well as many NASCAR Sprint Cup Series drivers running double-duty.(RIR PR)(3-18-2010)
Monster Diesel back on the #01 at Bristol: Monster Diesel, the diesel fuel additive that not only increases diesel engine mileage but is produced using green technology, will sponsor #01-Mike Wallace for the third consecutive race this weekend at Bristol.(JD Motorsports PR)(3-18-2010)
Lawson looking for second Nationwide start: This weekend Chris Lawson will be attempting his second NASCAR Nationwide Series start at Bristol Motor Speedway behind the wheel of Jimmy Means’ #52 Ford. This marks the duo’s fifth Nationwide attempt over the past three years. The team always has the challenge of qualifying in on time due to lack of owner points. Last season Chris made his Nationwide series debut at O’Reilly Raceway Park. In Phoenix the team missed the race by only two one-thousandths of a second, after picking up over 1.5 seconds from practice. This weekend the #52 Ford will have the power of a Roush Yates engine under the hood.(Lawson PR)(3-17-2010)
Ryan Truex to run 6 Nationwide Races: Ryan Truex celebrates his 18th birthday Thursday and couldn’t be happier with his present from Michael Waltrip Racing. MWR announced Truex will race in six NASCAR Nationwide Series races in 2010 in addition to running the full 10-race K&N Filters Pro Series East schedule in defense of his 2009 championship title. “I’m a racer and the best present anyone can give me is a chance to race,” said Truex who won three races and three poles in the former Camping World East Series last season. “Now I have a full plate of racing in the East Series in 2010 and six Nationwide races. Our eye is on running full-time Nationwide in 2011, so I couldn’t be happier.” Truex will make his Nationwide series debut on July 17 at Gateway Speedway just outside of St. Louis. Also tentatively scheduled are Michigan, Richmond, Kansas the fall Charlotte race and Homestead-Miami Speedway. MWR will be pursuing sponsorship support for Truex’s 2010 racing, as well as full-time support for the 2011 NASCAR Nationwide Series effort.(MWR PR)(3-17-2010)
Bristol Rookie Notes:
• Colin Braun was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the Sam’s Town 300 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Braun was credited with a 28th-place finish and grabbed top rookie honors for the first time this season.
• James Buescher leads Brian Scott by four points (34-30) in the Raybestos Rookie standings entering the Scotts Turf Builder 300 at Bristol Motor Speedway.
• Justin Allgaier was the Raybestos Rookie of the Race in the 2009 Scotts Turf Builder 300, scoring a fifth-place finish.
• The best finish by a Raybestos Rookie in 21 previous spring races at Bristol is second by David Green in 1991.
• The most Raybestos Rookies to finish inside the top-10 in the Scotts Turf Builder 300 are three in 2005: Reed Sorenson (third), Carl Edwards (seventh) and Denny Hamlin (ninth).
• Scott Riggs is the only Raybestos Rookie to win a pole in the spring race at Bristol. Riggs won his first career pole came in 2002 in just his fifth career start.(Raybestos / Camp & Assoc PR)(3-17-2010)
Sorenson making 2010 debut: Reed Sorenson has been patiently waiting this season to take the wheel of the #32 Dollar General Toyota. This weekend’s Scotts Turf Builder 300 at Bristol Motor Speedway will be his first NASCAR Nationwide Series (NNS) race in 2010. Sorenson drove the #32 car in two races in 2009, finishing second (Gateway, July) and third (Phoenix, Nov.).(Braun Racing PR)(3-16-2010)
Food City on the #24: For a second consecutive year Food City will adorn the quarter- panels on McClure’s #24 Hefty Odor Block Ford, serving as a co-primary sponsor during both events at BMS. Headquartered in Abingdon, Virginia, K-VA-T Food Stores operates 99 food outlets throughout the tri-state regions of Southwest Virginia, Southeast Kentucky and Northeast Tennessee.(McClure PR)(3-16-2010)
Wimmer in the #7 at Bristol; team plans full season: JR Motorsports officials announced this week its goal for the #7 program is to race the full 2010 NASCAR Nationwide Series schedule as opposed to the previously-announced 13 races in which Danica Patrick will drive. Complete sponsorship details and drivers are to be determined; however, veteran racer Scott Wimmer will take the wheel of the #7 Chevy this Saturday at Bristol Motor Speedway and April 3 at Nashville Superspeedway. “This is something we’ve been considering for awhile now, and the bottom line is the No. 7 car is too good not to be at the race track,” said JRM co-owner and crew chief Tony Eury Jr. “Our goal at JR Motorsports has always been to have two full-time Nationwide Series teams competing every week. Our sponsorship situation with the No. 88 has shown significant progress, and hopefully we’ll have announcements soon. We’ll work just as hard to get the No. 7 fully funded.”(JR Motorsports PR)(3-15-2010)
Shepherd gets Bristol sponsor: Morgan Shepherd and the #89 Victory In Jesus Racing Chevy team introduce DealTaker.com to race fans coast to coast. As Morgan Shepherd and race fans alike are feeling the economic crunch it is DealTaker.com to the rescue. DealTaker.com has stepped up to the plate, not only by sponsoring Morgan Shepherd, but also helping all NASCAR fans to get more and save more during these harsh times. The #89 Victory In Jesus Racing Chevrolet will be sporting the action-packed web site logo as an associate sponsor on its rear quarter panel during one of NASCAR’s most exciting races on the circuit – the half-mile concrete oval at Bristol Motor Speedway. DealTaker.com was just started in 2004 and has become the fastest growing online deal & coupon site in the U.S.(Faith Motorsports PR)(3-15-2010)
God of War on the #20 at Bristol: The #20 GameStop Toyota will feature the ominous tones of Sony Computer Entertainment’s God of War III at Bristol Motor Speedway. The game for Sony’s PlayStation 3 was selected in some polls as the “most anticipated release” of 2010. God of War III is scheduled for a March 16 release at the more than 6400 GameStop stores around the world, or online at GameStop.com.(JGR PR)(3-15-2010)
Former owner Kinney sentenced to federal prison: A former NASCAR Nationwide Series team owner was sentenced to more than six years in federal prison after pleading guilty to one charge of mail fraud as part of what federal prosecutors say was his part in a $12.7 million embezzlement scheme spanning 1995-2007, according to a news release from the office of U.S. Attorney Jim Letten out of New Orleans and court documents. Daniel Kinney, whose Premier Motorsports team fielded the #85 Nationwide Series car in select races from 2002-2007, was charged for his role in a scheme that included his girlfriend’s sister, Donna White, who worked at J.W. Stone Oil Distributor. According to documents filed in the case, prosecutors alleged Kinney and White worked together to steal checks and funds belonging to the company and deposit funds into their personal accounts. According to the news release, the stolen funds were used in part to fund the race team as well as for personal and gambling expenses. Kinney was sentenced to 78 months in prison, while White was sentenced to 40 months. They also must provide restitution of $12.7 million. Kinney must surrender to the U.S. Department of Corrections by May 11. Premier Motorsports is not the same team as Premier Racing, which competed in the Camping World Truck Series last year with driver Timothy Peters.(Scene Daily)(3-12-2010)
Armour renews with KHI: Pinnacle Foods LLC and Kevin Harvick Inc. announced a continued partnership for the 2010 NASCAR season with Armour Canned Meats serving as the primary sponsor on the #33 entry in the Nationwide Series for two events and as an associate sponsor for the entire season. The 2010 season will mark Pinnacle Foods second season with KHI representing the Armour brand. The recognizable Armour blue and gold car will be on track at Nashville (Tenn.) Superspeedway on April 3 and Richmond (Va.) International Raceway on September 10, both with KHI co-owner Harvick behind the wheel. Armour will also be represented all season as an associate sponsor on the #33 KHI car in the Nationwide Series. (KHI PR)(3-12-2010)
Mike Wallace picks up sponsor: UPDATE: Interviewed on Sirius NASCAR’s The Morning Drive, #01-Mike Wallace announced that the team has picked up a two race sponsorship deal from Monster Diesel. This weekend’s race at Auto Club Speedway will be the first race.(2-18-2010) UPDATE: Mike Wallace and JD Motorsports anounced that Monster Diesel will be the primary sponsor for the NASCAR Nationwide series races at Bristol, and Nashville. They were the primary sponsor at Fontana, California, with a 12th place finish and at Las Vegas with a 11th place finish.(JD Motorsports PR)(3-12-2010)
Mobile-Shop sponsoring McDowell at Bristol. Mobile-Shop will adorn the hood and quarter panels of Michael McDowell’s #81 Dodge as the primary sponsor for the NASCAR Nationwide Series’ visit to Bristol Motor Speedway on Saturday, March 20. Mobile-Shop Professional Maintenance Systems allow maintenance personnel to easily transport over 400 professional quality tools and parts to a job site without having to first evaluate the job, then determine which tools and parts will be necessary, and then search for and retrieve them. For more information on the Mobile-Shop System, please visit mobile-shop.com. (MMI / MacDonald Motorsports PR), see an image of the car on the #81 team paint schemes page.(3-11-2010)
Bobby Hamilton Jr’s race career on hold: Fourth-generation racer Bobby Hamilton Jr. says he’s “getting a quick education” about the other side of the sport. “In the past I just showed up the track, ran the race, and went home,” said Hamilton, who on Saturday launches his first season as owner/operator of Highland Rim Speedway. “I had no idea what all’s involved before the green flag falls. The last few months have been a learning experience.” Highland Rim is a paved quarter-mile track located 20 miles north of Nashville. Hamilton said he and his late father Bobby Sr., a former NASCAR truck champion and team owner, discussed buying the track a few years ago “but the timing just wasn’t right. Now I think it is.” Prompting his decision was this year’s closure of 52-year-old Fairgrounds Speedway in Nashville. Hamilton believes displaced drivers and fans will gravitate to his track. He’s encouraged by the fact that that during a practice session last week more cars showed up than he had room for. Hamilton, who over the years raced in the Sprint Cup and Nationwide Series, said his driving career is on hold. “If something comes along I’ll listen,” he said, “but meanwhile I’ve got all I can handle with my race track.”(Racin’ Today)(3-11-2010)
Ollie’s Bargain Outlet on the #33 at Dover: Kevin Harvick Inc.announced that Ollie’s Bargain Outlet, the mid-Atlantic’s largest retailer of closeouts and salvage merchandise, has joined KHI as a primary sponsor on the #33 Chevy in the NASCAR Nationwide Series for the event at Dover (Del.) International Speedway on May 15.(Penn Live)(3-11-2010)
Craven joining ESPN broadcast at Nashville: After two years as a studio analyst at ESPN, former Sprint Cup Series regular and Maine native Ricky Craven is readying to take the next step in his NASCAR broadcasting career. Ricky Craven will leave the cozy confines of the studio behind on April 3 and make his first foray into race coverage when he joins the ESPN broadcast booth for the NASCAR Nationwide Series Nashville 300 from Nashville Superspeedway. Craven, a Newburgh, Me. native former K&N Pro Series East champion, will join Dale Jarrett and Marty Reid in the booth for ESPN’s Nationwide Series telecast from Nashville. Its expected to be the first of a few appearances for Craven calling events this year for ESPN. Craven, who retired from full-time racing in the Sprint Cup Series after the 2004 season, will be filling in for regular ESPN Nationwide Series analyst Andy Petree for the Nashville event.(Hartford Courant)(3-10-2010)
Hot Rod Grills sponsoring Wallace at Bristol: UPDATE: #28-Kenny Wallace posted on his Facebook page, “I am thrilled to announce “Hot Rod Grills.com” will sponsor my NASCAR Nationwide Race at Bristol Tennesse on March 20th.(3-2-2010) UPDATE: Jay Robinson Racing and HotRodGrills jointly announced that HotRodGrills will serve as the primary sponsor of the #28 driven by Kenny Wallace, for the NNS race Saturday March 20th in Bristol. Life size and professionally built by a major grill manufacturer, this die cast aluminum monster has all the conveniences of a traditional grill but looks a whole lot better sitting in your garage when it’s not getting revved up and ready for the family grillin track.(Jay Robinson Racing PR), see an image of the car on the #28 team paint schemes page.(3-10-2010)
Sad News – Ann Plattenberger: Mrs. Ann Plyler Plattenberger, 70, of Wesley Chapel, passed away on Tuesday, March 09, 2010 at home with her family by her side. Services in celebration of her life will be held 2 p.m., Friday, March 12, 2010 from the graveside at Forest Lawn East Cemetery with Reverend Bruce Powell officiating. Survivors include her beloved husband and best friend of over 52 years, Ralph Plattenberger; sons, Steve Plattenberger [crew chief of the #23 R3 NASCAR Nationwide Series team] and wife Lisa S., Gary Plattenberger and wife Jan S., all of Wesley Chapel; brother, Joe C. Plyler and wife Charlotte, of Indian Trail; sister, Betty Holcomb; brother, Jerry Plyler and wife Joyce; sister, Nancy P. Boatright and husband Danny, all of Wesley Chapel; grandchildren, Scott Plattenberger, of Concord, Ashley P. Edwards and husband Aaron, of Charleston, SC, Bryan Plattenberger, John Plattenberger, Lara Plattenberger and Dan Plattenberger, all of Wesley Chapel and by one great-grandson, Cayden Edwards, of Charleston, SC. Memorials may be made to Hospice and Palliative Care, Charlotte Region, 1420 E. 7th St., Charlotte, NC 28204 or to Siler Presbyterian Church, 6301 Weddington Monroe Road, Matthews, NC 28104.Arrangements are in the care of Heritage Funeral Home, Weddington Chapel. An online guestbook is available at www.heritagefuneral.net.(3-10-2010)
Said, Roush Fenway to test at Road America: It might be tough for the race fans in Elkhart Lake, Wis., to imagine right now, but June — and the inaugural NASCAR Nationwide Series race at Road America — isn’t that far off. And in two weeks, a car on the track will make that event seem even closer. Similar to the one-car/one-team tests at Autódromo Hermanos Rodriguez in Mexico City and Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in Montreal prior to the series’ first races there in 2005 and 2007, respectively, NASCAR will conduct a test at Road America on Wednesday, March 24 to gather data to share among teams that will compete there this summer. Road America replaces the former event at the Milwaukee Mile on the 2010 schedule. NASCAR has turned to Roush Fenway Racing and crew chief Mike Kelly to conduct the test while road-course ace BorisSaid will be the driver. Said has 20 NASCAR Nationwide Series starts to his credit and 14 of those have come on road courses. He’s collected two poles and six top-five finishes in those races. His best result was a second-place finish in the 2006 event in Mexico City from the pole. He’s run in each of the three races in Mexico City and Montreal, however, he won’t compete in the June 19 event at Road America. That factor is a must for the test driver. Jeff Burton and Richard Childress Racing handled the Mexico City test while RCR and Terry Labonte were on point for the test in Montreal. Neither driver participated in the inaugural races at those tracks.(NASCAR PR)(3-9-2010)
Steel Magnolia to perform post-race concert at Nashville: Race fans at Nashville Superspeedway on Saturday, April 3 will have a good reason to remain on their feet following the conclusion of 300 miles of NASCAR Nationwide Series action. Big Machine Records recording artists Steel Magnolia will perform a post-race concert on the frontstretch as part of the Dillon Transportation Concert Series immediately following the race, scheduled to take the green flag at 3 p.m. The concert is free to all April 3 NASCAR Nationwide Series race ticket holders. As the season two winners of CMT’s Can You Duet?, Steel Magnolia (Meghan Linsey and Joshua Scott Jones) captured America’s hearts with their dynamic harmony and music that is one part Country and two parts Southern Soul. The duo’s top-15 hit, “Keep On Lovin’ You,” is the lead single from the Valentine’s Day Original Motion Picture Soundtrack and is the highest-charting debut single from a Country duo in over three years.(Nashville PR)(3-9-2010)
Allgaier test at Gresham: Coming off his NASCAR Sprint Cup win at Atlanta Motor Speedway Sunday, Kurt Busch made a stop at Gresham Motorsports Park Tuesday to test his #2 Miller Lite Dodge. Busch, along with his Penske Racing NASCAR Nationwide Series teammate Justin Algaier, spent the day taking turns lapping the GMP track. During a break, Busch took time out to film a segment for Inside NASCAR for Showtime TV.(GMP PR)(3-9-2010)
BigSpot.com to sponsor Scott for 5 races: Braun Racing announced that BigSpot.com, an Offerwise Company, will be the primary sponsor of its #11 Toyota for five NASCAR Nationwide Series races this season. NASCAR Nationwide Series Rookie of the Year contender, Brian Scott, will drive the BigSpot.com Toyota Camry for all five races which include Phoenix International Raceway, Road America, New Hampshire Motor Speedway, Richmond International Raceway and Dover International Speedway. BigSpot.com is an online service that introduces online users to consumer research firms. Users have the opportunity to share their opinions in order to influence products and services. BigSpot.com is owned and operated by Offerwise, a Virginia-based company that provides offline and online marketing strategy services to the consumer research industry.(Braun Racing PR)(3-8-2010)
Riggs remaining in #09; still searching for sponsorship: UPDATE: An interview with Scott Riggs:
Q: The original plan was a couple races [with the #09 RAB Racing team]. What is it now? Are they going to run as long as they can?
A: We’re going to run as long as we can, for sure. We feel that if we continue to improve and are able to run well – right now, we’re running good enough not to get some recognition. Guys like you are calling wanting to talk to us. But at the same time, we definitely need a sponsor. Even though are finishes are pretty much the same for three weeks in a row, we’ve been getting better every week. If we can continue to get better and continue to improve our finishing positions and make headway in the points and show everyone that we have a product, there are some sponsors out there that haven’t made decisions and haven’t come forward and are sort of watching the way everything’s going the first part of the year that are going to dip their toe in the water. We’ll have a product we can sell and hopefully sustain us the rest of the year.(NNSRacing)(3-5-2010) UPDATE: Lake Oconee resident Brack Maggard turned to the skies during Sunday’s race in hopes of securing sponsorship for his NASCAR Nationwide Series team. Maggard hired a pilot and plane based in Lawrenceville to fly a banner over AMS which read: “Sponsor Scott Riggs www.teamrab.com.” Riggs, the driver of the #09 RAB Ford, is 10th in the driver standings three races into the Nationwide Series season despite running on a limited budget. “I got to think about flying a banner over the track after reading an article that blasted television’s coverage of NASCAR because they talked so much about Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Danica Patrick,” Maggard said. “The story used RAB as an example of other things that need to be talked about.”(Atlanta Journal Constitution)(3-8-2010)
Steven Wallace to make Cup debut UPDATE 2: During SPEED’s SPEED Report show, Bob Dillner reported that Rusty Wallace’s son, Steven, a regular in the Nationwide Series, will attempt to make his Sprint Cup debut at Richmond International Raceway on May 1st. Steven will run a car from Rusty’s team, Rusty Wallace Inc. and plans to attempt four other Sprint Cup races in 2010, no word on those venues.(SPEED)(2-28-2010) UPDATE – Denied: per Greg Wallace of Rusty Wallace Inc/ Rusty Wallace Racing: “At Rusty Wallace Racing, we continually evaluate opportunities that align with our strategic objectives, including a future involvement in the Sprint Cup Series at some point. However, there are currently no plans for RWR to field a Sprint Cup entry in 2010. As for Steve Wallace, our focus remains on making Steve and the #66 5-Hour Energy Toyota Camry consistent contenders for the 2010 Nationwide Series championship.”(RWR)(3-1-2010) UPDATE 2: While all young NASCAR drivers have their sights set on an eventual Sprint Cup emergence, a report earlier in the week about Steve Wallace and his dad’s Rusty Wallace Racing team making the big leap wound up false. But while the funding isn’t yet in place, Wallace says Cup starts may soon be on his horizon after all. “We’re sure thinking about it,” he said. “We don’t have anything set and done yet. [Last week’s report] might have been a little bit misleading, but we’re definitely trying to put some stuff together and whether it happens or not, we don’t know, but we’re definitely thinking about it.” Wallace has five straight top 10s in the Nationwide Series dating back to late last season and sits 6th in points, a sign the 5th-year NNS driver is finally gaining the consistency to make a run for a championship. For now, he’s making his Truck Series debut, racing the #15 Red Top Auto Auction Toyota for Billy Ballew Motorsports this weekend.(Frontstretch )(3-6-2010)
Las Vegas TV Ratings: ESPN2’s live coverage of the NASCAR Nationwide Series race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on Saturday, Feb. 27, earned a final national household coverage rating of 2.1, the same rating the race earned in both 2008 and 2009 while airing on ESPN2. The telecast averaged 2,861,661 viewers. Through the first three races of the NASCAR Nationwide Series season, ESPN2’s ratings average is up 13 percent over the average for the first three races in 2009.(ESPN PR)(3-2-2010)
US Fidelis owes Rusty Wallace Racing: US Fidelis, once regarded as the nation’s No. 1 seller of extended auto service, and a former sponsor with Rusty Wallace Racing, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy on Monday in U.S. bankruptcy court in St. Louis. According to court documents, Rusty Wallace Racing is among the 20 creditors holding the largest unsecured claims against the company. Court documents show that US Fidelis owes Rusty Wallace Racing $535,439.18. US Fidelis was listed as the primary sponsor on Steven Wallace’s car for 25 of the 35 Nationwide races last year and on teammate Brendan Gaughan’s car in 10 of the 35 Nationwide races last year.(Hampton Roads)(3-2-2010)
Coleman Pressley to drive some races for R3: R3 Motorsports has signed up-and-coming NASCAR driver Coleman Pressley to a multiple-race deal for the 2010 NASCAR Nationwide Series season. Pressley, 21, of Asheville, N.C. is the son of former NASCAR Sprint Cup, Nationwide and Camping World Truck Series driver Robert Pressley. Coleman is also the grandson of Bob Pressley, a multiple-NASCAR short track champion in the Late Model ranks. Pressley will drive the #23 Chevy at Bristol Motor Speedway in March, Richmond International Raceway in April and Darlington Raceway in May. If more sponsorship can be attained, then Pressley will add more races to his schedule with R3 Motorsports.(R3 Motorsports PR)(3-2-2010)
Westerman sponsoring Key for 8 races: Key Motorsports team owner Curtis Key announced the return of Western Companies to the quarter panels of the #40 Chevy for eight NASCAR Nationwide Series races in 2010. “Westerman Companies have agreed to remain a partner with Key Motorsports in 2010,” said Curtis Key. “We at Key Motorsports appreciate the opportunity to continue to grow and build the Western Companies brand through our Nationwide Series program. Their commitment to Key Motorsports has allowed steady growth throughout the entire organization and I want to thank them for their participation with our race team.” Continuing a partnership that began in 2007, this season will mark the fourth consecutive year Westerman Companies have backed the efforts of Key Motorsports in NASCAR racing.(Key Motorsports PR)(3-2-2010)
Bowles to attempt Bristol for Go Green Racing: 2009 Camping World West Champion Jason Bowles will drive the #39 Ford at historic Bristol Motor Speedway in March 20, 2010. Jason has compete in 39 races in the Camping World West and has an incredible 30 top 10 finishes, 25 top 5’s, and 9 wins in the series. This will be Jason’s first race in the 2010 Nationwide Series with hopes of a good finish and many more starts to come.(Go Green Racing PR)(3-1-2010)
ESPN Monday Rundown:
Kevin Harvick won the Sam’s Town 300 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. It was his 35th Nationwide Series victory in his 239th career start. His 35 wins remains second all-time behind Mark Martin’s 48. He led twice for a race-high 82 laps including the final 25.
Denny Hamlin (finished second) scored his best finish at Las Vegas in his fifth start.
Carl Edwards finished third in his first race back with crew chief Drew Blickensderfer, and he continues to lead the points. He has a current streak of 15 top-10s and five top-5 finishes.
Trevor Bayne (sixth) scored his best career finish.
Steve Wallace (10th) had his fifth straight top-10 finish, the best streak of his career.
John Wes Townley (15th) scored his best career finish.
Justin Allgaier, Brian Vickers, Edwards, Wallace and the #20 car (driven by Joey Logano and Denny Hamlin this season) scored top-10 finishes in the first three races of 2010.
Colin Braun (28th) was the best of the five rookie of the year contenders in the race. Four of the contenders were involved in accidents, and all five did not finish the race.
Eleven drivers made their first Nationwide Series start at Las Vegas including Danica Patrick (36th). Patrick’s next race is at New Hampshire in June.
Chevrolet scored its 350th career series win.
The top-10 consisted of four Toyotas, one Chevy, three Fords and two Dodges.
The race was slowed by caution eight times for 39 laps.
There was a rain delay of 1 hour and 30 minutes, the race finally went green at 6:15 p.m. ET.
(ESPN.com)(3-1-2010)
Plattenberger named interim crew chief for Richardson: Steve Plattenberger has been named the interim crew chief for R3 Motorsports and the team’s No. 23 Chevrolet in the NASCAR Nationwide Series; effective immediately. He replaces John Quinn, who is no longer with the team. Plattenberger, who has been the team’s shop foreman since last season, has prior crew chief experience and brings more than two decades of knowledge to the team. He’s led the efforts of drivers such as Robert Pressley, Stacy Compton, John Andretti and Jeff Fuller in the past. In 1995, he led Fuller to Rookie of the Year honors in the Nationwide Series.(R3 Motorsports PR)(3-1-2010)
